Pretty in Pink

Business Trip.

That sums up my son Charlie's trip to his home state of Michigan this past week.

He and his business partner, Bub Kuns,
were scouting locations for their new upcoming movie...Ordinary World.

 I saw some snippets of him.  But, for a mother, it's never enough.

But thank goodness, he and his family travel together, for vacation and/or business.

It left us gals some "down time" ~ treasured one-on-one time
with my beautiful Daughter-in-Love,
Kristina.

AND, their new daughter,
Evie Marie~!

What a wonderful afternoon we spent...
and it wasn't just us gals, 
as we also had the Little Woodsman, David, spend the leisure hours with us,
enjoying the Michigan flora and fauna before they head back to California.

I must, must, must be patient until we see each other again.

Writing with heavy heart, until next time my dear friends, God willing.

Fall, Fun, Film, Family, Farewell

The same thing that took my son, Charlie, out of Michigan, just brought him back.

Film making.

 He and business partner, Bub Kuns (and Bub's wife Jeanette)
came to Michigan to scout out locations
for their new movie, Ordinary World, featuring Noah Munck.

Noah will play a lead role as "David".

 Not to be confused with our adorable grandson, David.

 So, this trip is all about work.  

Scouting, assessing, movie planning.

But for the family who follows along, it's all about fun.

For me, it's about reflection.

I recall when I took Charlie to this very same spot, 

at "Dead Man's Hill",

when he was almost 4, just like his son, David.

It truly seems like it was just yesterday.

 And now, Charlie's a film maker, with a successful business.  

A business that lifts up the Lord in all it does.

The Veracity Project.

 But even more importantly, 

he's the head of a family that also puts the Lord first in all it does.

Oh, how amazing it will be to see what the future holds.

But for now, the task is at hand.  

To make a movie that will bring others to know the 

sweet, 

sweet,  

sweet 

grace of

Christ Jesus.

 And it is my job to lift up those who are making this truth known,

in daily prayer for their discernment and God-driven guidance.

For Bub...

And for my son, Charlie.

 It is this knowledge, knowing Charlie and Bub are making a difference in this world, 

that makes it a tad easier for me to say goodbye, 

as they head back to California with their families.

It's not easy for a mother to miss her son, his amazing wife, and their little ones.

Our grandchildren...

But I cope.  As many others cope in similar situations.

And know, it is what is best for Charlie. 

In service to Him.

“You are the light of the world. 

A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. 

Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

In the same way, let your light shine before others, 

that they may see your good deeds 

and glorify your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16 

Until next time dear friends, God willing.

Fall Family Visit

It just doesn't get any better than this...

Blessed with colors from God's paint brush.

Blessed with wonderful warm fall weather.

And blessed with a visit from son Charlie,
his beautiful (both inside and out) wife Kristina,
and their amazing children (our grandchildren),
David and Evie, from California.

The first thing David did was drive the tractor with Papa Russ.
They "went to work" and traveled on the property to pick up a log,
and deliver it back to the Wee House for the winter Wee House wood.

 The little woodsman...

Such a big boy!

And introducing little Evie Marie, born 7/1.
She's truly captured everyone's heart!

She's a sweet bundle of joy.

And very much a little sister to big brother.

For David,
it was a toss up between driving the tractor
and playing with the newly hatched chicks.

I believe the chicks won.

Also visiting from California were Bub and Jeanette Kuns.

Charlie and Bub are actually in Michigan on a scouting trip for their new movie.

Ordinary World.

You will hear much, much more about this in the future...

Bub will be playing "Tom" in the film,
along with being tagged writer and director.

Jeanette also loved the baby chicks.

Soon, it was time to return them to the mother hen.
Mama had one chick with her, so as to not miss the two we "borrowed"...

Mission accomplished. 

And David's attention soon went towards the Amish-made marble game.

We loved having a late-afternoon BBQ picnic,
to celebrate the gathering of family and friends.

Just look at the difference one year makes in the life of a child (or us adults). 
This was last year's trip to Michigan.
Click HERE.

I only wish California was a tad closer to Michigan. 
Or vice versa...

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, 
children a reward from him. 
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. 
Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
Psalms 127:3-5a

Until I check in again, dear friends, God willing.

Extended Summer on the 45th Parallel

Here in northern lower Michigan, we have been experiencing summer.

Yes, summer.  

In October.

It's been wonderful...

I've been soaking it all in, physically and spiritually.

The animals have also been enjoying the warm days and cool nights.

It's just the best of both worlds.

Beauty, and a second chance to get all those things done before winter hits.

Or for some, a third chance.

That would be me...

Truth be told, my mind is elsewhere.


It's on the beauty of the day.

And I'm not letting a single minute go by without giving it due praise.

For there is something very special about this time of year.  

It is truly a gift from God.

And it is not to be missed.

Even our hens are taking advantage of the warmth.

One Mama hatched out 3 eggs in the last week.  

We will enjoy watching these little ones grow over the winter.

But for now, they are with their Mama,
protected from the hustle and bustle of the other chickens,
and learning about "all things chicken" from Mama.
How to scratch for feed, etc.

There's also something about this weather that makes folks travel.

We have had several guests stop by these last few days.

And one such guest was bearing gifts, 

which included Zucchini bread, 

a pumpkin, 

our favorite candies, 

and a fresh bouquet of flowers.

Thank you Jean A.  from the Hoosier state  ~ we love you...

And tomorrow, my son Charlie and his family arrive from California.


The trip is two-fold.  

To show off their new baby daughter, Evie, along with 3 (almost 4) year-old David.

But also, it is a scouting trip for their new movie to be made in Michigan.

For those of you who don't know, my son, Charlie, is a filmmaker.


Click here to see Charlie and the new movie information...Ordinary World.

Until next time dear friends, God willing.